Saskatoon Construction - Page 368

Measuring Stick · #**7341** Posted **Mar 5, 2010, 6:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike474

I'm curious what exactly council has done to stymie downtown development that most councils elsewhere do not do?

I agree with you Mike. Saskatoon's current City Council is miles ahead of any we have had in 30 years for getting things done. They can't finance the construction...be patient Saskatoon will surprise people this year yet.

Ruckus · #**7342** Posted **Mar 5, 2010, 6:53 PM**

I blame the height restriction...errr, and NIMBYS.

Get rid of those two things and we'll reach stage 4 cancer overnight...guaranteed

Echoes · #**7343** Posted **Mar 5, 2010, 7:09 PM**

Yeah, that 'project graveyard' in today's S-P was a real downer.

But, on a slightly more encouraging note, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is holding their 2010 Conference and Festival of Architecture in Saskatoon this summer, June 22 - 26. Festival website here. I kinda wonder if the occurrence of this event in the city this year has anything to do with the proposed architecture school? Maybe it could coincide with an announcement of some sort. At the very least it may drum up some support for and awareness of architectural excellence in our city (just like how Jan Gehl brought the 'urban quality' buzz to town).

As for the development standstill we've reached, I choose to remain encouraged by the small, incremental projects happening in our city: the KG, 2nd Ave Lofts (and downtown grocery), Rumley, Discovery Plaza, Capitol Centre, J.B. Black Estates, 3rd Ave streetscaping, continued work at River Landing, etc. etc. Big projects would be nice but we're just going to have to be patient and realistic about this.

Echoes · #**7344** Posted **Mar 5, 2010, 7:50 PM**

Another bit of minor news for a potentially major undertaking in downtown Saskatoon, the City has sent out an RFP (found here on the APCPS website) for a "Public Space, Activity + Urban Form Strategic Framework" that will constitute Phase 1 of a 4-phase City Centre Plan.

Phase 3, interestingly, will be a Civic Plaza Area Masterplan.

Anyways, you can read more about it at the link provided. The real noteworthy part here is the fact that the City is beginning the master planning process for the downtown, something that will have real and lasting effects on the development and shaping of downtown well into the future.

It's a beautiful Friday out folks, so cheers to some positive news.

Morogolus · #**7345** Posted **Mar 5, 2010, 9:38 PM**

I just recall an article that interviewed Atch and all the exciting developments we were going to see in 2009 (wish I could find it)

Some of the things that were going to be in full swing by summer 2009

Lake Placid - Dead (practically)
Lighthouse Tower - Dead
25th St Extension - ??
Circle Drive Bridge - Who knows with all the budget cuts that came out yesterday.
275 Second Tower - On life support

Bah

I like the University and all but I've never been to University and I won't really get to enjoy the improvements. It would be nice seeing some activity in our downtown.

On another note, there seems to be great opposition to any time a new project is announced. Every article about a positive development coming to Saskatoon has pages of negative comments about how much it's going to cost. It's so irritating.

Anyways I'm done ranting.

kgc087 · #**7346** Posted **Mar 6, 2010, 3:27 AM**

Hey everyone! It's been quite a while since I've posted anything, but just wanted to let you all know that I'm going for coffee with a councilor on Sunday to discuss the way I view Saskatoon growing. Any suggestions for what I should bring up? I'm going to talk about beautification, streetscaping to improve aesthetic as well to improve comfort levels etc, increasing density, transit, and mixed use developments, as well focusing on building downtown rather then elsewhere. Anything I forgot?

gowest · #**7347** Posted **Mar 6, 2010, 5:38 AM**

One thing that might be interesting is why they are building the city in one direction. The expansion of the two potash mines mean more workers and many of them might like to live in new developments on the west end closer to their work. The city has to start expanding the western area and balance the city out. Redeveloping the central core is also extremely important. Try and get some pie out of them not just coffee.

socialisthorde · #**7348** Posted **Mar 6, 2010, 7:52 PM**

This issue has been raised here several times and reference has been made to the city development plan where they lay out the rational for the development pattern. There are a number of complex considerations related to existing infrastructure and geological issues.

I'm no expert, but they look to have based the decisions on pretty good thinking, so unless you want to question the premises they used, there is not much to discuss. I live in the West side too, and I also see it falling behind the East side, but unlike many who live here I don't see it as any kind of conspiracy or neglect, it is just function of the way things have fallen out. THis does not abdicate the city of responability for dealing with Westside issues, but it means that they might not be solved by focussing new development there.

Jerry · #**7349** Posted **Mar 6, 2010, 7:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgc087

Hey everyone! It's been quite a while since I've posted anything, but just wanted to let you all know that I'm going for coffee with a councilor on Sunday to discuss the way I view Saskatoon growing. Any suggestions for what I should bring up? I'm going to talk about beautification, streetscaping to improve aesthetic as well to improve comfort levels etc, increasing density, transit, and mixed use developments, as well focusing on building downtown rather then elsewhere. Anything I forgot?

Hey kgc087 good to hear from you again, missed your enthusiast posts.

Looks like your going to cover some of my wishes, mixed use developments along with the downtown.

Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it went.

..
..
..

Jerry · #**7350** Posted **Mar 6, 2010, 10:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowest

One thing that might be interesting is why they are building the city in one direction. The expansion of the two potash mines mean more workers and many of them might like to live in new developments on the west end closer to their work. The city has to start expanding the western area and balance the city out. Redeveloping the central core is also extremely important. Try and get some pie out of them not just coffee.

I just had a look at the Projected Growth Concept Plan and they are planning for it.

Source

Ruckus · #**7351** Posted **Mar 7, 2010, 12:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Country

Yeah, that 'project graveyard' in today's S-P was a real downer.

But, on a slightly more encouraging note, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is holding their 2010 Conference and Festival of Architecture in Saskatoon this summer, June 22 - 26. Festival website here. I kinda wonder if the occurrence of this event in the city this year has anything to do with the proposed architecture school? Maybe it could coincide with an announcement of some sort. At the very least it may drum up some support for and awareness of architectural excellence in our city (just like how Jan Gehl brought the 'urban quality' buzz to town).

As for the development standstill we've reached, I choose to remain encouraged by the small, incremental projects happening in our city: the KG, 2nd Ave Lofts (and downtown grocery), Rumley, Discovery Plaza, Capitol Centre, J.B. Black Estates, 3rd Ave streetscaping, continued work at River Landing, etc. etc. Big projects would be nice but we're just going to have to be patient and realistic about this.

Good point. I would not be surprised if that were the case.

________________________

That's great to hear kgc087. I don't have anything to add except my gratitude

(you have a lot ideas I'd very much like to see implemented).

jrm857 · #**7352** Posted **Mar 7, 2010, 8:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgc087

Hey everyone! It's been quite a while since I've posted anything, but just wanted to let you all know that I'm going for coffee with a councilor on Sunday to discuss the way I view Saskatoon growing. Any suggestions for what I should bring up? I'm going to talk about beautification, streetscaping to improve aesthetic as well to improve comfort levels etc, increasing density, transit, and mixed use developments, as well focusing on building downtown rather then elsewhere. Anything I forgot?

Just as an aside, the city is already working on much of this, and is in the planning process. make sure its not nagging at them.

Jerry · #**7353** Posted **Mar 7, 2010, 9:06 PM**

I just noticed today that the Remai Arts Centre has got its new signage. Certainly improves that stark gray wall.

dsim249 · #**7354** Posted **Mar 7, 2010, 10:15 PM**

^ Ya, noticed that the other day too. It looks really good at night lit up.

Echoes · #**7355** Posted **Mar 7, 2010, 10:16 PM**

^ Huge improvement!

I think the lettering is illuminated in blue at night.

Jerry · #**7356** Posted **Mar 7, 2010, 10:25 PM**

Good stuff ! I'm looking forward to seeing it at night.

Ruckus · #**7357** Posted **Mar 8, 2010, 3:02 AM**

Classy. So...should we still call it Persephone Theatre?

_______________

Some photos of an almost completed 25th Street...I wonder how far along those negotiations between the City and CP are.

Caswell Hill - 25th St and Ave E

Fandango (red) on 2nd Ave

A very sparse skyline from this angle

milanboy · #**7358** Posted **Mar 8, 2010, 10:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry

I just noticed today that the Remai Arts Centre has got its new signage. Certainly improves that stark gray wall.

The funny thing is that they put the same signage on the back of the theatre tower ... where the new arts centre of Saskatchewan will be built and most likely will hide the sign. What a likely waste of money.

EarlyByrdProductions · #**7359** Posted **Mar 9, 2010, 12:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by milanboy

The funny thing is that they put the same signage on the back of the theatre tower ... where the new arts centre of Saskatchewan will be built and most likely will hide the sign. What a likely waste of money.

I think it will be a good few years until that sign-age will be covered up...
and so I'm happy that it is there, vastly improving the site of the building until the arts centre is up.

...plus it makes me look at the signage now instead of the rainbow bridge

iron883 · #**7360** Posted **Mar 9, 2010, 7:28 PM**

KGC087, you could tell the counselor to turn the landfill into a ski/snowboard park, maybe with a bunch of ice rinks or something too. And then a skate park, trails, sports fields and pool or something in the summer. I don't know. I just can't get over how awesome that would be.

Anyone know where can I find some good info on the potential designs for Gordie Howe Bowl and park updates and all that?

And i just want to vent about how much I hate the Preston Crossing parking lot and entrance on the Shoppers/Pier 1 side. When it's busy its a completely useless bottleneck, dammit! I'm sure there's worse parking lots in the city, but that one just kills me. Am I alone? What other lots do you hate?

nice pics, I hadn't noticed the signage on the theatre yet.